Makeup tutorial: basic, every day glam

IT’S FINALLY HERE! The makeup tutorial y’all have been requesting. While I am well aware most of you are new to my page, there are many of you out there who have been asking about the products I use and how I use them for quite some time. Finally, FINALLY I get to share them with you. I am so excited to be able to make this tutorial for y’all so if you enjoy it be sure to hit “like” below and subscribe so you don’t miss out!

Let the games begin!

I always start with a clean face before applying makeup and I make sure to prep my skin with a moisturizer and my Thayer’s witch hazel toner:

Fresh faced*Note the benefits of natural lighting versus unnatural overhead lighting as the tutorial goes on. I had meant to do this earlier in the day but I got distracted and lost the light. Also, I am aware I have a dot on the end of my nose. It’s a lovely souvenir from a third grade pencil. No it doesn’t hurt. No I’m not in danger of lead poisoning because of it. And no, I don’t notice it or want it removed.*

Once my face is toned and moisturized I apply a tiny bit of Milani Prime Shield mattifying & pore minimizing face primer, focusing on my T zone and other areas prone to shine. Then I use my NYX matte finish long lasting setting spray to set my primer. This has been such a neat trick that I picked up from watching others and it really helps keep my skin healthier and my makeup lasting longer with minimal breakage throughout the day.

Next I apply my foundation. Right now I’m using Bare Minerals Bare Skin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation with SPF 20 in the shade Bare Ivory 04. At the time of purchase, this was the lightest color they had available. I’m not sure if they’ve come out with a lighter color since for fair complexions. This stuff has lasted me a long time & is great coverage without using a ton of product.

Then I go back with concealer under my eyes, along my nose, and above my jawline to create subtle contrast and optimize coverage where I need it most. For highlighting coverage I use Covergirl’s Ready, Set Gorgeous in Fair.

Afterwards, I use a loose powder to set my concealer. My go-to loose powder is the Covergirl Professional Loose Powder in Translucent Fair 105. It’s lightweight, minimal coverage which is perfect for my combination skin. While it may seem like I wear a lot of product, what I do use, I use sparingly or in moderation. I hate feeling like my makeup is wearing me instead of the other way around. While I wait for this to settle in or “bake” I move onto my eyes.

I use Nyx Away We Glow liquid highlighter in the color Crystal Glare to prime my eyelids and give a dewy effect. Then I use my e.l.f. cosmetics eyeshadow palette in Nude Rose Gold.

1. Base color: used along lid up to crease.

2. Blend color: used along crease and/or to blend or deepen base color.

3. Crease color: used sparingly along the crease until I’ve achieve the desired look.

4. Corner/crease color: used along the outermost corner of the crease and down along the lower lash line about halfway to create a smudged or smokier effect.

5. Highlight: used sparingly in center of the eyelid near lash line to create contrast and brighten.

Once I’ve finished with eye shadow, I’ll move onto eyeliner or straight to mascara depending on how I feel and what I have going on that day. More often than not, if I apply eyeliner it’s a generic dark brown pencil which I use to line my upper lashline and halfway along my lower lashline working outside in. After eyes are complete, I’ll brush away any excess loose powder from baking and take a little more on a large fluffy brush to set the rest of my face. Then I clean up and brush my brows, applying only a little brow gel (I prefer a more natural brow look most days) and I lightly draw a little concealer above and below the brow which I then blend to clean up and sharpen the look.

<– not yet blended –>
Then comes bronzer. I use a little liquid bronzer in the hollow of my cheekbones to create a deeper contrast which I then blend outward and upward. Pictured here is the NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator in Pure Gold. I go over this with my e.l.f. powder bronzer in Sunset Glow which I bring up along my hairline to my forehead and subtly down the sides of my nose. Next I proceed with my NYX Illuminator highlight in Ritualistic along the tops of my cheekbones, the tip of my nose, and along my Cupid’s bow. I finish it off with a light blush just along the apples of my cheeks.

*I use highlighter before blush to soften the highlight and create a dewy look under the blush.

And then there were lips! Before applying any lip products I make sure my lips are clean of any other makeup residue. Then I moisturize with some sort of balm. Right now I’m using Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rosy Lips. My favorite lipsticks lately have been the soft matte lip cream lipsticks by NYX Cosmetics, specifically the color called Rome. I picked up a different one last time I visited Ulta and it’s the NYX Liquid Suede cream lipstick in the color Soft-spoken which has a little more brown than my normal shade but I love that it’s more moisturizing and doesn’t dry up or crack like some mattes do after use.

And when it’s all said and done, most days I end up with something resembling this:

No, this is not a perfect system. No I am not a licensed cosmetologist or beautician. This is not a sales pitch, endorsement, or sponsored review of any of these products and these are not instructions. This is simply a break down of what my makeup looks like on any given day. This is what works for me. These are the products that I like. Everyone is different. But if you like this look or are interested in any of the products, they’re listed here for you to check out. Thanks again for stopping by my site. If you enjoyed this tutorial and would like to see more, be sure to “like” this post and comment below with more requests. Subscribe if you haven’t already so you’ll know when the next tutorial is available. And stay tuned for my new summer hair tutorial!

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2 thoughts on “Makeup tutorial: basic, every day glam”

Gorgeous as always! I now have a better idea of what to look for the next time I stop by Ultra.
How did you like your new SiliJelly Sponge? Could you tell the difference using it versus your regular applicators? I can’t wait for your summer hair tutorial!

Thanks! Anytime you want to makeup hunt together, just let me know. Ref. the SiliJelly Sponge I have mixed feelings. I was going to do a combined tutorial/review but it would’ve been too much and I think I need to give it another chance before I really make up my mind about it. Keep and eye out for the review coming soon!